Swinomish
Office of Planning &
Community Development
LACONNER, WA, USA

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE & MANAGEMENT

Solid Waste Management

As part of its Tribal Environmental Program, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community participates in regional solid waste issues as a voting member of the Skagit County Solid Waste Advisory Committee. This committee, consisting of tribal, county, city and public representatives, influences key decisions on how all of the by-products generated by our lifestyle choices are managed, in order to protect human health and the environment.

Gillnet Recycling Program

Along with disposing of their waste motor, wet cells batteries, and other marine related chemical waste, Tribal Fishermen may now recycle their old nylon gillnets at the HazMat Collection Shed. The nylon is then used to make a variety of new nylon products.

Reservation Illegal Dump Site Cleanups

In 2002, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community received a $25,000 grant from the EPA to clean up some of the many illegal garbage dump sites located around the Swinomish Reservation. Not only are these illegal dump sites an eyesore, but they endanger human health and the environment. They pose a special hazard to our sensitive aquatic habitat that is so necessary for a healthy ecosystem. These cleanups are expected to start during the summer of 2002.

UPDATE: On a $25,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Natural Resources Crew has been busy cleaning illegal garbage dumps. On this project, the Crew has cleaned up over 48 tons of garbage, along with 29 abandoned appliances. Additionally, the Crew is installing 50 new ‘No Dumping’ signs to inform people about the penalties for throwing garbage on the ground.

If you know of an illegal dump site that needs to be cleaned up, please call the Planning Department at 466-7280.